"Bad Friend" is the fifth single and eighth track from Rina Sawayama's debut studio album Sawayama. Written by Sawayama with Johnny Lattimer, and produced by Sawayama with Kyle Shearer and Jonathan Gilmore, the song was released following its debut on BBC Radio 1 on 15 April 2020.[2] Sawayama herself has described the track as her favorite from the album and stated that it was written after she found out through social media that her formerly close friend had just had a baby.[3]
A karaoke video for the track was released to YouTube on the same day as the release.[4] The official music video was released on May 20. The song topped on the Tokio Hot 100.
Critical reception[]
"Bad Friend" received positive reviews from music critics. Describing the song, Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone, wrote "is a heartstring-tugging self-reflection."[5] Writing for Consequence of Sound, Jennifer Irving believed the song "feels like a song to be listened to on a drive with the windows rolled down and the volume up, despite being a song about a fizzled friendship."[6] She also called the song one of the essential tracks from the album..[6]
In June 2020, singer-songwriter Elton John called the album Sawayama "the strongest album of the year so far", while calling "Bad Friend" "a song that Madonna would die for."[7]
Remixes[]
Sawayama released a remix of the song with Japanese band End of the World on 20 November 2020.[8][9]
On 4 December 2020, a remix by London-based band Dream Wife was featured on the bonus disc of the deluxe edition of Rina's album Sawayama. The remix is also featured on the album's limited remix EP Sawayama Remixed, released on the same day.
Visual[]
An animated visual was also released accompanying the End of the World remix.[10] It was directed by CG Artist nagafujiriku.[11]
Credits[]
| Production | Creative Team UNDEFINED |
| Director/CG Artist | nagafujiriku |
| Modeler | Kou Nakamura |
| Texturing Assistant | Sho Watanabe |
| Motion Designer | Nakaken |
| Motion Designer/Producer | Mizuno Cabbage |
Live performances[]
"Bad Friend" was part of the regular set list of the Dynasty Tour, which began on 8 November 2021 in Dublin, Ireland.
Track listing and formats[]
Digital release[]
- End of the World Remix
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Label: Dirty Hit Format: Digital download, streaming Released: 20 November 2020 Catalog #: N/A Barcode: N/A Photography: N/A Design: N/A |
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| # | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bad Friend" (End of the World Remix) | 3:14 |
Lyrics[]
We ran through the bright Tokyo lights, nothing to lose
Summer of 2012, burnt in my mind
Hot, crazy, and drunk, five in a room
Singing our hearts out to Carly, sweat in our eyes
Throwing drinks at each other
Making fun of our lovers
Getting kicked out on the street, oh
We were best friends forever, but the truth is
I'm so good at crashing in
Making sparks and shit, but then
I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend
So don't ask me where I've been
Been avoiding everything
'Cause I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend
I'm a bad friend, yeah
Guess we fell out, what was that all about?
Maybe I overreacted, well, maybe you shouldn't have...
God, it's insane how things can change like that
Don't even know where you are
What you do and who you do it with
Throwing drinks at each other
Making fun of our lovers
Getting kicked out on the street, oh
We were best friends forever, but the truth is
I'm so good at crashing in
Making sparks and shit, but then
I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend
So don't ask me where I've been
Been avoiding everything
'Cause I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend
Put your hands up if you're not good at this stuff
Put your hands up if you're not good at this stuff
(Oh, I'm a bad friend, oh yeah, oh yeah)
Put your hands up if you're not good at this stuff
(Should we put the bridges back together?)
Maybe I'm a bad friend
I'm so good at crashing in
Making sparks and shit, but then
I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend
So don't ask me where I've been
Been avoiding everything (Everything)
'Cause I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend
I'm so good at crashing in
Making sparks and shit, but then
I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend
So don't ask me where I've been
Been avoiding everything
'Cause I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend
References[]
- ↑ Rina Sawayama - SAWAYAMA review: An audacious album from one of the boldest voices in pop
- ↑ Rina Sawayama on Instagram: "the final song before the album drop BAD FRIEND, one of my absolute faves from the record 😭😭😭, is dropping TONIGHT on @anniemac as the HOTTEST RECORD IN THE WORLD ! tune in at 7.30PM @bbcradio1 to hear it first !!!!!"
- ↑ Rina Sawayama – Bad Friend Lyrics on Genius
- ↑ Rina Sawayama - Bad Friend (Karaoke Video)
- ↑ Album Review: Rina Sawayama Is the Pop Moment on Debut LP
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Rina Sawayama - SAWAYAMA Review: Artist of the Month Reimagines Modern Pop on her Debut Album
- ↑ Elton John calls Rina Sawayama’s debut LP “the strongest album of the year so far”
- ↑ "End of the WorldによるRina Sawayama「Bad Friend」リミックスが本日11/20配信リリース。新鋭クリエイティヴ集団 UNDEFINEDが手掛けたMV公開". Skream!
- ↑ RINA SAWAYAMA on Twitter: "v v v happy that my favs @EndOfTheWorld made this stunning instant iconic remix !! hope u enjoy pixels !!!"
- ↑ "Rina Sawayama - Bad Friend (End of the World Remix)". YouTube.
- ↑ RINA SAWAYAMA on Twitter: "the BAD FRIEND @EndOfTheWorld REMIX VISUAL !!!!! gag !!!"
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| Dirty Hit • 2020 |